Media Room

THE ORANGE PEELER

One of the things I’ve learned in over 20 years of working in Local Government is that leadership is fluid. Not only do we all lead differently, but different situations require different leadership styles. While a good leader knows this, a great leader also knows ...

The work of Blackadder Associates across Australia tells us that times are moving quickly, and managers are moving even faster. Whether through retirement, organisation change or the greater mobility of the workforce, jobs for life are uncommon. When managers move on to other ventures they...

Getting to the Top…10 tips for aspiring Council GM’s/CEO’s
In my experience, people working in public service tend to have a sense of humility that you perhaps wouldn’t find elsewhere. Self-serving and boastful Gordon Gecko, ‘greed is good’ types, really aren’t attracted to local government. If...

Secondments involve the temporary transfer of an employee to another part of the organisation or a transfer externally. Secondments can be made within public sector organisations, private sector companies and the charitable sector.
Secondees can learn additional skills, benefit from new experiences and of course it’s...

Most organisations these days are searching for greater efficiencies and effectiveness.
For example, in the local government sector there is focus on service reviews. This is a process for assessing whether the council should be in a business and, if so, whether the service standards should...

Recruiting a Chief Executive or General Manager — How to spot a great Candidate
One of the most important decisions a Council will ever make is the selection of its General Manager/Chief Executive. That person can make or break the Council’s reputation in its endeavours to...

We were delighted to again be the sponsor of the Innovative Leadership and Management Award, presented at the LG Professionals NSW Annual Awards Dinner held at Doltone House, Darling Island Sydney.
This award specifically recognises superior leadership and management skills to achieve outstanding benefits for the organisation...

Most organisations these days are searching for greater efficiencies and effectiveness.
For example, in the local government sector there is focus on service reviews. This is a process for assessing whether the council should be in a business, and if so, whether the service standards should...

At Blackadder Associates we firmly believe that ambition is a good thing. It’s what drives us to excel, it pushes us to complete tasks, meet deadlines, and even to try new endeavours. Some employers don’t like ambition – they worry about losing you to another...

We live in a world where the current definitions of leadership have a post-heroic connotation. The claim is that it is possible to be a leader without being a hero.
The argument goes that heroic leaders are viewed as being omnipotent within the organisation, that their...

You're a little nervous. You're sitting in the Council chamber with the Mayor, Councillors, and me. Take a deep breath and remember you've already passed the first test — the shortlisting process. You are down to the last half dozen of thirty or more, well-qualified...